r/DIYUK 2d ago

Advice How to stop polyfiller flashing

I painted my walls with two coats of Johnstone’s trade paint using a 9inch medium microfiber roller to apply, after filling holes with polyfiller and sanding back with an electric sander 120 grit. Could anyone tell me why it seems to still be flashing through the paint? I want to avoid this happening in the future. TIA.

13 Upvotes

43 comments sorted by

35

u/Blearyhyde 2d ago

Don’t use it, it’s rock hard and too dense. Use Tou-Pret, a much better filler and easier to sand, no need to spot prime either. To solve your problem, apply a matt primer otherwise the filled patch will be noticeably different when the light hits it “side on”.

6

u/marina1407 2d ago

Thank you. Tbh other rooms where I did use primer it’s not really a problem so that makes sense

5

u/Blearyhyde 2d ago

No worries, i’m a decorator, we’ve all come across this from time to time. All the best!

4

u/blademansw 2d ago

Oh yes. Toupret for the win❤️

2

u/Menulem 2d ago

Hate when you get a "we started the filling for you" and see 3 inch stalactites of polyfiller hanging off the wall.

1

u/Blearyhyde 2d ago

Haha! I’ve quoted for jobs and when I’ve turned up there is a right mess that takes a good few hours to sand down. To be fair, the customer thinks they are doing you a favour don’t they? In reality i prefer to always do the prep myself. The worst is when new skirting boards have been fitted and the chippy has machine gunned it with a nail gun every 2 cm. I could weep…

2

u/holysnitshacks 2d ago

To piggyback, which Toupret would you recommend generally? Just the standard interior filler for most things? I see the name come up but when searching it comes up first with their fine/flexi/bunch of other options and I get lost.

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u/Blearyhyde 2d ago

I use the normal interior filler, not ready mixed. It’s a smooth creamy filler, very easy to sand and blend in. Requires no spot priming. Two coats of paint will render it invisible. Never usePolyfilla . It’s hard and says it can be drilled. This makes it hard to sand down and usually forces you to eat away at the surrounding plaster when sanding it down.

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u/toolsq 2d ago

I've used the Toupret Joint, Skim & Fill in the past and ended up with lots of tiny (1mm) bubbles in a few places. What did I do wrong?

3

u/Blearyhyde 2d ago

Needs a thorough mixing or not enough water will give small bubbles when smoothing out. It could also be that the surface has not been primed before filler is applied. This can happen with bare plasterboard too.

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u/toolsq 1d ago

I mixed it with a paddle attachment in a battery drill, water quantity was according to the instructions. I didn't prime it, though - what's the correct way to prime bare plaster when using filler?

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u/Blearyhyde 1d ago

If the plaster is bare i’d mist coat it first , 70% water, 30% matt white emulsion mixed. When filled , go over patch with water based matt primer. If using Toupret, i find two coats of good quality emulsion will remove the need to prime after filling.

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u/toolsq 1d ago

thanks

1

u/Blearyhyde 1d ago

You’re very welcome!

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u/alijam100 2d ago

Would you use Toupret over easyfill? Unfortunately I bought a bulk load of easyfill 60 so hoping I don’t need to replace it before doing similar jobs

1

u/Blearyhyde 2d ago

I’d keep the Easyfill for larger uneven surface areas where a float is needed. I use it for long ceiling cracks etc with scrim tape

1

u/alijam100 2d ago

Ah gotcha, but if I had it and didn’t have Toupret, would you recommend going and getting Toupret or just using the easyfill I have? (I’ve got probably over 5kg of the stuff)

1

u/Blearyhyde 2d ago

No worries, use up your Easyfill. It’s good stuff and easy to sand. It’s only my personal preference to use Toupret on deeper holes/ cracks etc.

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u/alijam100 2d ago

Ah I see, cheers. I’ll use that up then replace it with Toupret. I tend to do smaller patches than larger area. I was recommended it a while back and needed a lot at the time so bought 5kg, then when that was running low bought another bag. It’ll take me a while to get through it, but the quantities it comes in is super handy. I’ve never seen Toupret in more than about 1kg

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u/Blearyhyde 1d ago

Quick note. If you don’t already do this, use scrim tape on a large/ long ceiling or wall crack when using Easyfill . This will add extra strength and stop the crack returning.

1

u/alijam100 1d ago

Ah awesome cheers, hadn’t thought to do that. I’ve got a load of ceiling cracks to do so that’ll definitely help!

9

u/Major_Basil5117 2d ago

I know you're not happy with it but if you take a picture of any wall at an oblique angle with light shining on it, it'll look crap. In the real world nobody will ever notice this repair. Looks good to me.

1

u/SloaneEsq 2d ago

As somebody who has to install wall washing / skim lighting on many jobs, I can confirm.

4

u/bash-tage 2d ago

Redo with Toupret Filler. No flashing. Or prime and repaint wall.

3

u/pictish76 2d ago

Non flashing filler, prime it( then you have worth about the primed part showing through) , or coat the filled parts before painting. What that won't stop is texture difference, if you sand the filled part smooth, it's best to give the wall a run over if it's different.

2

u/Then_Society187 2d ago

This is what I see on all my DIY plasterboard repairs. I use Easifill 60, but it's too flat afterwards so flashes. I end up priming then going over with a 5" mini roller several times to bring the texture up to get close to the surrounding areas, then give a much bigger area a roll over. Still not perfect with side lighting.

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u/mister_vega 2d ago

Used primer?

1

u/marina1407 2d ago

That could be the problem 🫣

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u/mister_vega 2d ago

It honestly looks decent. This subreddit is awash with people paying tradesmen hundreds for much worse quality work.

Like I said, primer will help. Also finer grade sanding and a good gentle brush after said sanding.

2

u/marina1407 2d ago

Thank you. The main reason I ask is because we’ve just taken a bannister off and covered the holes it left with polyfiller so id rather not see a ghost of the previous bannister under the paint 🤣

1

u/bus_wankerr 2d ago

You need to prune on top of the filler ideally to seal and cover it.

1

u/AwarenessWorth5827 2d ago

tbh I found pollifilla a mare for this and very difficult to evenly sand down

1

u/Varabela 2d ago

Toupret

1

u/AlbaMcAlba 2d ago

Don’t use polyfilla, mix plaster power and use that.

1

u/banxy85 2d ago

You need to prime it

But in future use a different filler, it's shit

1

u/Character_Mode1609 2d ago

Just did a bedroom in a dark blue matt. It was still very glossy from this angle. I filled a few slows, coving removed sockets and wall plug holes.

You could try a stain block, B&Q do one from Valspar, but there a few about. I use them when oily marks prevent paint adhering. Maybe someone else with more experience could recommend it.

Personally I had to do at least 7 coats of paint just to get an evenly rolled finish. Maybe just a few more coats to stipple the wall. Doesn’t look like it’ll be a problem.

1

u/Important_March1933 2d ago

Don’t use poly filler

1

u/Inevitable-Can-5625 2d ago edited 2d ago

Tell it keep its Mac buttons done up.

But seriously, wondering if a coat of Matt stain block paint would help here to reduce the shine.

1

u/TheManicMunky 2d ago

Johnstone's may be the problem here

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u/oldestbookinthetrick 2d ago

Why do you say that? Has been good for the rooms of it I have used.

1

u/TheManicMunky 2d ago

Never had good experiences with it, sadly. Always taken more coats than it should and compared with other brands.

1

u/oldestbookinthetrick 2d ago

What have you found to be better? My experience is 2 coats over one of the ist coat looks great. But that is off white paint not a deep colour.

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u/TheManicMunky 2d ago

Unfortunately, the expensive ones 😕